West Chester native gets creative with Duct Tape

Florence Stong from Downingtown shows off a bow she made from Duct Tape

West Chester native Sophie Maletsky has always led an art-filled life and her recent book, “Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects” is a product of her passion for art. Sticky Fingers is an instructional book that teaches readers how to create more than 70 different items strictly out of Duct Tape. Maletsky is what you would call a “Duct Tape expert.” In her book, she gives instructions on how to create a huge variety of items from wallets and phone cases, to backpacks and jewelry.

Her book is based on a unusual, but not unpopular subject. What started off as a silver adhesive tape to seal heating air-conditioning duct work has blossomed in the crafting field into multiple colors and patterns.

Maletsky has taken advantage of this growing opportunity to teach people something new.

Maletsky did not originally intend to write a book on Duct Tape art. After graduating from Henderson High School, she earned a BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadlephia. She said, “I started as an actress, but I did all aspects of theater, so set and costumes and things.” Maletsky claims that her background in all things theater is what has helped her to be so successful in the Duct Tape field.

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When Maletsky’s husband was relocated to San Francisco, Maletsky started working as a nanny for parents in the area. She planned birthday parties for some of the children, and it was there that she originally got started using the tape as a creative outlet. She said, “Before I knew it, I had this business. I started out doing Duct-Tape wallets with the kids at the parties.”

Maletsky’s interest in Duct Tape spiked when a child at one of the parties showed her how to make a rose out of it. “We were just using Duct Tape to hold things at that point, Malestky said. “We played around with it and once we found out we could make fabric out of it, that’s when we realized we could do anything with it.”

From there, Maletsky started a YouTube channel as a way to instruct those interested in Duct Tape art via the Internet. Her YouTube channel currently has about 5½ million views. People write her with suggestions, requesting different items for Maletsky to make for her next video. It was from her work on YouTube and with the Duct Tape workshops she had been running for children that the idea to do a book was born. Maletsky said, “I was interested in teaching them how to do their own projects so we’re hoping this book will help them take it to the next level.” Once Maletsky came up with the idea for the book, the entire process to get it completed took two years. “Once they were ready for us to start working on the book, they wanted it completed in two weeks.”

Sticky Fingers was released July 1, and to promote her book, Maletsky returned to her home town. She toured the local area educating people on the art of Duct Tape crafting. “A company based in Florida called Tape Brothers donated 150 rolls of tape for people to use at the workshops,” she said. Maletsky visited Girl Scouts in Swedesboro, New Jersey, to kick off her promotion. That night, she visited the Chester County Book Co. She instructed those who showed up how to make wallets and bracelets.

Maletsky claims that anything wearable is usually the most popular with Duct Tape crafters. She has an entire section on wearable items in her book where readers can learn how to make jewelry, neck ties and belts. “We made clothing for American Girl Dolls before and that was pretty popular, but everybody loves the backpack,” Maletsky said, “I’d say it’s the favorite.” Maletsky said her intention with the promotion is to teach people something new.